Raise your hand if it’s unseasonably cold where you live and all you want to do is convince your spouse/significant other/best friend/dog/cat/goldfish (I suppose those labels could overlap,) that it’s a good idea to light a fire then curl up on the couch with a blanket, movie, and bottle of Cabernet then stuff your face with Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Popcorn? So glad we’re on the same page. No matter the situation nor company, this seasonal stovetop popcorn needs to be made ASAP!
One of my favorite things about food is that it can conjur up memories with just one taste. I’m transported to my Grandma’s kitchen in Ohio every time I make her Chicken Noodle Soup, and nothing takes me back to summertime as a kid quite like my Mom’s Dirt Cake. Popcorn is another food that holds a lot of memories for me. Whether it was my parents making big batches for my brothers and me to eat in our sleeping bags during family movie night, or the big yellow bowl drenched in melted butter my best friend’s Mom made us girls in high school — the crunchy stuff holds a big piece of my heart. But this version. This version — flavored with brown butter and fresh sage — is next level!
Brown Butter Sage Popcorn
Air or stovetop popped popcorn is tossed with fresh sage that’s been crisped in brown butter then finished with a flourish of salt. If I didn’t make this popcorn myself I’d question why it’s so addicting. Whether you pop this up for movie night, family night, or any occasion in between — you’re going to lick the bowl clean!
How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
Start by popping popcorn kernels. You can use an air popper (this is the one my Mom used to make our movie-night popcorn. I had to borrow it because my air popper mysteriously disappeared last week. Seriously, WHERE IS MY AIR POPPER??)
OR, you can make popcorn right on the stove! How Laura Ingalls Wilder of us, right? You’ll want a heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch Oven for popping popcorn on the stove. A 4-quart size is perfect, though you can use a larger pot if needed.
Start by adding oil to the pot then add a few popcorn kernels to the bottom. Turn the heat to medium then place a lid on top.
Tip: If your pot is wider than 9″ you’ll need to add an additional Tablespoon oil. The kernels shouldn’t be swimming in oil, but they need to have a nice cushion.
Wait for one of the test kernels to pop then add 1/2 cup kernels to the pot and shake to coat all the kernels in oil. Continue shaking/sliding the pot over the burner every so often to prevent burning. After a few minutes, the kernels should begin start to pop!
Keep moving and shaking the pot every 15-20 seconds until the popping slows down then remove the pot from the heat and keep the lid on until the popping stops. Voila – stovetop popcorn! Pour the popcorn into a large bowl then set your sights on that brown butter and crispy sage topping.
Either raid your unstoppable herb garden…
Or pick up a pack of sage at the store then chop it up. You’ll need a heaping 1/4 cup chopped sage.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat then, when it begins to foam, add the sage and swirl the skillet until the butter turns golden brown, 1-2 minutes.
Pour the brown butter and crispy sage over the popped popcorn then toss with a spatula to coat each piece.
Sprinkle with salt then serve immediately!
Honest to goodness top 5 most addicting snacks ever. Movie night, snack time, any time – make this popcorn pronto!
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